Archaeological discoveries indicate that the existence of Sri Lanka dates back at least 500,000 years. According to history, the North Indian Prince Vijaya arrived on the island in 540 BC with about 700 followers. Since then, almost 180 generations of Ceylonese monarchs have followed in his footsteps and ruled this island for around 2000 years. The sculptured relics and the arts resemble the development of Buddhism, the widely practiced religion in the land to date.

International

• Bandaranaike International Airport/ Colombo International Airport (Airport code CMB) (Katunayake) is situated 29km (19 miles) North of Colombo
• Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (Airport code HRI) is situated 70km East of Tangalle

Domestic

• Ratmalana (Airport code RML) is a primarily domestic airport serving the city of Colombo and is located 18km South of Colombo

Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.

All holiday or business travelers to Sri Lanka must have an electronic travel authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. An ETA is issued only for short visits to Sri Lanka for business, tourism, and transit purposes.

ETA is valid only for three months. A fresh ETA cannot be obtained using the same passport until the previous ETA expires. If you lose the passport that contains the valid ETA, you may apply for a fresh ETA by paying the relevant fee again.

Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information.

Sri Lanka has reached elimination levels for youth illnesses (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Poliomyelitis, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) as well as food and waterborne sicknesses such as Typhoid and Hepatitis A. For those who are traveling to places where there is a risk of infection, like rural areas, engaging in sports like hiking, camping, or remaining for long periods, getting vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Rabies is advisable. Standard vacationers ought to have their underlying discussion for vaccinations for Sri Lanka no less than 4 – a month and a half ahead of takeoff. Usually, vacationers remain inside the southwestern corner of the island or venture inland to Kandy. The rate of unfamiliar vacationers creating Malaria after their time in Sri Lanka is considerably low. Consider the season, destinations, and length of the trip when deciding whether to get the necessary Malaria Prophylaxis.

Sri Lanka is positioned like a teardrop just south of the equator on the southernmost edge of India. Temperatures are typically over 20 degrees Celsius, and there is generally a fair amount of moisture in the air, especially around the beach resorts. Generally, the tropical monsoon seasons are April, May, and June, followed by October and November. To adapt to the weather circumstances, travelers can carry appropriate clothing. You need your PCP’s written consent to utilize drugs. If possible, make sure to have this ready in your purse in case of spot inspections. Kindly note that every traveler will require specific counsel, and this information provides the topmost essential guidelines.

The items listed below can be brought into the country if you are over the age of 18 and have no customs obligations.

• Two bottles of wine, 1.5 liters of liquor, a modest quantity of fragrance, and 250 ml of eau de toilette.
• It is prohibited to import tobacco products into the country.
• Firearms, explosives, and dangerous weapons, ivory: collectibles, sculptures, and fortunes: old books, creatures/birds/reptiles (in any condition) and parts, tea, elastic, coconut plants, perilous medications.
• Only two people traveling together from the same family are eligible with the expectation of receiving free import stipends.
• Valuable belongings (counting gems), should be announced on appearance in Sri Lanka.
• There is no gift recompense. Unused Sri Lankan cash should be reconverted to foreign currency upon takeoff.

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of LKR 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 & 10. Coins are in denominations of LKR 10, 5, 2, and 1.

Foreign currency must be exchanged only at authorized exchanges, banks and hotels.

American Express
MasterCard
Visa Debit Card – Widely used

GMT +0530
Banking hours – 09:30 hours to 15:00 hours – Monday through Friday
Currency Exchange Centers – 10:00 hours to 18:00 hours – daily

Department stores and shopping malls – 10:00 hours to 19:00 hours – Monday through Saturday
Business hours – 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours – Monday – Friday 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours – Saturday
Government offices – 09:00 hours to 16:30 hours – Monday through Friday (1 hour lunch break between 12:00 hours and 13:00 hours)

When you visit a sanctuary or other revered location, keep in mind that photography shouldn’t be done in a way that causes disrespect. For instance, it is strictly forbidden to photograph any sculptures or paintings. Anybody breaking these guidelines risks being removed from the site. Taking off your shoes is a requirement when entering a place of worship. Avoid wearing any textiles or frills that feature images of the Lord Buddha. You may have to wear long trousers and avoid revealing tops when entering religious sites. The low country is hot and humid, but as you travel to the hill country, the climate becomes cold and mild, and ocean breezes refresh coastal areas.

There are two storms: one from December to January and the other from May to July. The temperature on an average day is between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. Therefore, lightweight clothing is ideal with some rainwear. In terms of climate, the best seasons for traveling are from May to September on the east coast and from December to March on the west and south coasts. The peak travel season is also from December to March. Travel during the off-season (May to October) is desirable because it’s less crowded and the convenience cost is nearly low. If you visit Sri Lanka between July and August, you will have the opportunity to partake in the Kandy Esala Perahera, a 10-day celebration honoring Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth relic. It is also the season of the Kataragama Festival in the south. It is noteworthy that during these festive periods, convenience prices in both these festivals might double, so they should be planned well in advance.

Sinhala is widely spoken, while Tamil is spoken as a secondary language. The use of English is widespread in urban areas and suburban areas.

Although the more recent accommodations have square pins, 230/240 volts, 50 cycles AC plug focuses used to have round pins. Still, it is advisable to bring your movement connections to avoid the problem of getting disconnected.

Although cotton clothing is versatile throughout the year, you will need light clothing for hiking and a waterproof outfit for water sports. Ladies are expected to dress modestly when visiting religious places. (Shorts or skirts above the knee and tops or dresses that are see-through revealing the cleavage would not be allowed). You are expected to take your shoes and socks off before entering places with restrictive regulations like religious sites. Keep cotton socks and comfortable shoes in mind. Assuming you intend to hike, be prepared with the appropriate gear. While it is advisable for water sports fans to bring their snorkels and diving gear with them, these accessories may also be rented in seaside areas.

It is usually recommended to drink bottled water, though drinking water is available anywhere.

For your convenience, telecommunication centers are accessible throughout the island. The majority of lodgings will also help you with your post. There are numerous mobile business administrators available on the island, and therefore, it is advisable to set up a connection with mobile broadband so that your high-tech devices can be connected and used. Each of these telecom companies has a pay-more-only-as-costs-appear option that allows you to get a local SIM card for about Rs. 1,000 (remember to demand miniature SIM). Re-energize cards are available at every corner store on the island. You can find your ideal association with the aid of your driver-guide or the hotel reception. The majority of hotels have internet offices. If your lodging does not have internet or email offices accessible, do not hesitate to ask someone close by where you can experience a media transmission. The majority of bistros and restaurants also offer free Wi-Fi. Most mobile business cooperatives offer versatile portable internet connections to keep you and your cutting-edge devices connected when you’re on the go.

Majestic City, Liberty Plaza, Crescat Boulevard, Odel Unlimited, CCC, and JAIC Hilton are a few of the shopping malls in Sri Lanka. Some 5-star lodgings in Colombo additionally have shopping arcades. Exceptional purchases include handcrafted items made of silver, metal, bone, pottery, wood, earthenware, tea, reed and coir mats, straw caps, and stick bushels. Batik clothing, ribbons, and veneer products are all well-known. Travelers can buy some of the covers which are used in dance dramatizations, parades, and on celebration days. Diamonds are another valuable resource in Sri Lanka. Batik, cotton, rayon, silk, and fine ribbon are all different types of fabrics in Sri Lanka. Typical Sri Lankan meal options are spicy, and if you cannot tolerate spicy food, approach curries with caution. There are plentiful vegetables, organic products, meats, and fish, and Colombo offers a variety of international cuisine including Chinese, European, Indian, and Japanese dishes. A curry cooked with coconut milk, diced onion, and green stew, along with fragrant ingredients like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, saffron, and sweet-smelling herbs, is a staple. If a dish is overly spicy, ask for plain ground coconut; this will help to ease the discomfort!

• Diarrhea – Unhygienic food preparation. It is important to know to watch out for half-cooked fish or meat.
• Sunburn – Do not forget to use a sunscreen product with a sun assurance element of no less than 15. Keep in mind that you are just 600 km from the equator, so even with sunscreen, you should limit how long you spend in the sun.
• Heatstroke – This is the most well-known condition caused by dehydration that results from spending too much time in the sun.
• Prickly Heat – This rash develops when organs become dormant from excessive sweating or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. To treat it, scrub the region, use a mild cleanser, and keep the area clean.
• Alcohol & Meat ‘won’t be sold on Poya National specialties.

Making someone look bad by open criticism offends Sri Lankans’ sense of honor or individual respect. It’s best to avoid being outraged. Homosexuality is not legal. Smoking and drinking out in the open are illegal. The arrival or departure from international airports, prayer calls from mosques, the recitation of “pirith” (recounting verses) from religious institutions, and schools preparing their students to drum in the open air are activities that typically begin first thing in the morning. Fireworks can be let off whenever there is a party, celebration, or other festivals, or just when locals are having a good time and enjoying loud music. It is wise to have earplugs if you are particularly sensitive to noise. Travelers’ safety in Sri Lanka is generally not at risk. Although it is advised not to go alone, especially in the evening, it is adequate to go with a companion. It is safe to travel the entire island, including the north and east. If anything has been stolen from you, report it to the traveler police (A special traveler police unit that has been established to address the needs of travelers. Contact Information: (+94 11 242 1451). Please take note that the price of your ticket includes departure tax.

Popular Colombo hotels have dining clubs with music and entertainment. Colombo theatres show American films, artistic dances, performances, and theatre productions. Note that cinemas are closed on Poya Days.

The must-tries in Lanka.

Hoppers presented with a fried egg delicate on top
String Hoppers (steamed circlets of rice flour that resemble that shape of noodles)
Jaggery produced from the sap of the kithul palm
The durian fruit
Ceylon Tea which is the best in the world
Toddy (an alcoholic beverage produced from the fermented sap of the palm tree)
Arrack (fermented Toddy which comes in varying degrees of strength).